1- Discuss how ideas–including theories of crime–might be influenced by the social context in which people live? From a personal standpoint, explain how your ideas about the causes of crime might be influenced by your social context.
2- Think about your perceptions of what causes crime. Does it fall in line with the classical school, the positivist school, both schools, or neither schools?
Theories of crime and ideas about criminal behavior are deeply influenced by the social context in which people live. Social factors such as economic conditions, cultural values, political climate, education, and family dynamics shape how individuals perceive crime and its causes. For example, in a society with high economic inequality, crime might be seen as a consequence of poverty and lack of opportunity, whereas in a society that emphasizes personal responsibility, crime might be viewed as a result of individual choices and moral failings. Additionally, exposure to crime, media portrayals, and governmental policies also shape public attitudes toward criminal behavior.
From a personal standpoint, my ideas about the causes of crime are influenced by my social and educational background. As someone in the healthcare field, particularly in psychiatric mental health, I tend to view crime through a biopsychosocial lens, recognizing the role of mental health, trauma, and environmental stressors. My exposure to healthcare disparities and systemic issues has reinforced the belief that crime is often a symptom of broader social and psychological factors rather than merely a result of individual moral failure. However, I also acknowledge that personal choice and rational decision-making play a role in some criminal behaviors.
Regarding my perception of what causes crime, I find my views aligning with both the classical and positivist schools to some extent. The classical school, which emphasizes free will, rational decision-making, and deterrence, applies to cases where individuals weigh the consequences of their actions before engaging in crime. However, the positivist school, which considers biological, psychological, and sociological factors, resonates more with my perspective as it acknowledges external influences such as mental illness, environmental stressors, and genetic predispositions. Given my background in mental health, I tend to lean more towards the positivist school because it accounts for the complexity of human behavior rather than attributing crime solely to rational choices.